Merry Christmas to All!

Here, have a cookie! Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas today... we have lots of sunshine and no snow, hooray! Have a blessed night.

Holidays at Geyser Conservatory

A lovely sight at the Geyser Conservatory in Manito park. Every holiday season they deck the plants with zillions of lights and keep the doors open late into the night. It is the stuff dreams and memories are made of. The photos don't really do the place justice but here are a few I'd like to share with you. Hope your Holidays are happily underway. Merry Christmas!

Mittens Mittens Mittens

More mittens for the whole family. It's so much fun to be making useful things for little hands. Knitting is such a winter pleasure... I love to sit by the fire and knit or sit by the warm heater, knit and watch a great movie (A Room with a View sounds good about now! But, not possible... for now it's Word World, Sesame Street or playing Chutes and Ladders. That's OK, I'll take it :)

Happy Friday everyone!

Candy Cane Horses

When I was little, we made candy cane horses -or perhaps someone gave them to us? They're just a faint memory now. After much googling and searching, I couldn't find a picture of what I remembered so, these little babies are what I came up with.
The little green fringy guys will be turned into fancy horses soon in my son's Kindergarten class. The kids will glue eyes, pom poms, jewels and sequins on them!

The Telephone Ladie's Party

I've been finishing up some ink drawings with gouache. This one is nearly done, but it wouldn't be in character to show you an actual finished piece! It just needs a few more touches here and there.

I've been hastily knitting a few things hoping to wrap 'em up before Christmas. Luckily, they don't need to go in the mail... which gives me extra days to finish :)

The etsy shop has been absolutely dead... crickets are all you can hear over there. Don't know exactly why... is it the economy or ? Last year was pretty busy. Oh well, everyone has an 'off' time I suppose. Wish I knew how to wake things up. Have a great weekend!

More Owls and Winter Birds

I received a call from the gallery that all the ornaments had sold but one and could they have some more? Some More? I love getting calls like that! So, work, felt, sew, pin... they flew to the gallery yesterday and are perched in the windows.

Now, on to the fun of Christmas... planning the Christmas cookies and doing the cards (one of my favorite tasks of the season!) What are you making for Christmas this year?

Mystery Travel

This man just arrived after a long journey. He got right out of his boat and walked onto the beach with his trunk. (just his boat is in the picture) As usual, it's unfinished... but am thinking it needs to be complete. Painted it from a vintage photograph from the late 19th century. Don't know if it's an American beach or ?? Love the mystery of old photographs... where did he come from and where was he going? They can be a bit creepy too - a la 'The Others'.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We are putting up our tree today by order of the 2 children who run this house :)

Bed of Beach Rocks

Trying to set aside some time at the easel today to finish up this painting... all this holiday stuff is getting in the way of making art! It is such fun though. This year for the first time... we'll have mom and grandma in our neck of the woods. Very exciting :) Have a great day.

Christmas Kitty

Been working on a few Christmas cards... I had so much fun using my 'crafty sewing machine' to sew the prints to the cards. They were feeling a little bland so borders were added - made of paper and some are fabric. There are a few more images to come (drying in the studio) but these landed in the shop tonight. Happy hump day!

PS Got some good news today... I'm having an April solo show in 'Twilight country'...

Port Angeles, WA! Yay! Best part - lots of friends and family that live in the area.

Turkey and the First Snow

We had our first snow on Friday... it was actually quite beautiful and only a small amount. The kids are thrilled with it! They donned all the snow gear and ran out to the back yard to play and chase the dogs. Once inside, requests for hot chocolate filled promptly.

The turkey is felted wool and from a kit. (sorry, can't seem to find the envelope to share the designer with you - will post when found!) It's a smallish penny rug for a table or even to hang on the front door. He's in need of some eyes and a few other bobs and fobs. It's been tough finding Thanksgiving decorations... seems the stores have tons of Halloween and Christmas. We are going to brainstorm and just make our own. Any ideas out there...? We'd love some if you'd like to share. Have a peaceful Sunday.

Winter Owls

Here are just a few of the owls and birds I've been sewing for the local artist's Christmas ornament show. (at Tinman Artworks) It was so much fun getting these fowl together... mostly for the embellishments! (getting out the felting machine is always big fun too.) If there are any left... I'll put 'em in the etsy shop in time for Christmas shipping.

Two Ladies...

Here's a new painting started last week. I really like this one and hope it will 'paint itself' without too much ado. Went back to my old way of sketching with thinned paint (purple) as the under drawing. (have been using pencil and doing more detail... but I want to get away from all that detail and move towards a looser approach.)

I'm off to see if anything's on Masterpiece Theatre tonight! Happy Sunday.

Oh, the Feeling of Failure!

Look at my bread machine bread. Fallen like an old lady who can't get up. Don't know what went wrong... anybody have any advice? My husband received the machine in September so we're not that familiar with it. Anyway, it's a laugh ; ) Happy Friday.

Meet Millicent

Here's a little girl I painted a few days ago...love her braids and how she's holding the doll against her face. (oops, need to fix the black lines on her shirt!) She landed in the shop tonight (but I'll secretly fix her shirt and re-post the photos tomorrow...shhh, don't tell :)

Chapel Chairs

A new little drawing I did last night. My daughter fell asleep early (rarely happens!) so I was able to do some drawing and painting. Was so attracted to the 'crowd' of empty chairs... somber yet inviting. The bottom photo is the start of a picnic party painting. (8 x 10" very small for me so, it's a challenge.)

Feels so good to get back into a groove. It's hard to resume a routine though when reality has pushed you in a different direction. Just now starting to get to work after a summer and fall full of family and friends staying with us. Nothing like a quiet house to get the creative juices flowing again. :) Wonder why transitions are so difficult no matter how old you get?!

How do you get started again when you've hit a 'speed bump?'

Happy Halloween!

Believe it or not... these are the first pumpkins I've ever carved! Hubby has always done it in the past but he's workin' this weekend so, it was up to me. Besides the big gouge in my index finger I think they turned out pretty nice. Best part - the kids love 'em :) (the right one is a cat). And here's another shot of the dogs... can't help myself. They are getting along so well, playing a lot and causing all kinds of trouble.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

New Wool and Silk Mittens

Here are my second pair of mittens (the first was a bit wonky) made from a wonderful yarn called Grace Hand-Dyed by Lousia Harding yarns. 50% merino wool, 50% silk. Absolutely decadent... a real luxury if you want to pamper your hands this winter. (no, I don't work for their company :) I already used them yesterday on a nippy stroller ride and they were very warm. That's my son in his 'motorcycle jammies' helping the hand model.

Still working on the Xmas ornaments... the embellishments take more time than you'd ever think but, it's fun. Happy hump day! (we're supposed to awaken to the first snow in the morning. not ready for it!)

PS I added a few new things to the shop this morning... and free shipping on all cards and small prints. Stop by and say hi.

Birds and Babies

Brothers :)

Our new baby!

It's getting to be Christmas making season already and this morning I finally got started! There's a nice show which happens every year after Thanksgiving at a local gallery. Many local artists make one of a kind ornaments for the shop and there's a big party to go along with it. Usually, I make felted wool ornaments and this year is no exception. So, here are my unfinished owls - just a start to many in the flock. More little birds in the works too.

Some big news to share: Our Mr. Darcy (Welsh Corgi) now has a little brother to pal around with! Mr. Knightly came to us yesterday. We called the # from the ad and upon arrival, realized this was the same lady who had our Mr. Darcy! (she had moved, so we had no idea it it could be the same person) His name comes from the Jane Austen novel, Emma. The friend, neighbor and confidant of Emma... with whom she eventually falls in love. We like to just call him 'Knightly' as Mrs. Elton does in the book.

Car Trouble

Here's a fun painting I've been working on - just putting the finishing touches on it. Love these old VW buses... they came in such bright colors. My ballet teacher drove a turquoise one :) Have a few more in the works I'll be sharing soon. What have you been working on? Happy Thursday!

Another Halloween card (a little late, huh?) I'll be adding them last minute in the shop on Thursday... won't get the camera back 'til then. But, perhaps free shipping will be offered on all cards for awhile. This print will be glued to a groovy black card and come with a black envelope!

The sweetest dog... Mr. Darcy. He loves me!

Leaf Raker

This spooky lady is completing her autumn chores... raking all those falling leaves. The cat needs help with her whiskers but otherwise this one will turn into a card. Found some fabulous black blank cards and envelopes yesterday at the craft store... perfect for Halloween woodcarvings. One more printing and into the shop they go!

A ladybug fairy visited our house the other day... just had to share the cute little feelers. There's a sparkly crust of frost here and there - can't believe another season is turning. Where did the summer go?! Happy Monday.

A Touch of Orange

On my birthday, my mom took us for lunch (daughter & moi). After, it was off to a very cute and well-stocked quilt shop. We were just going to 'check out what's new' but the fat quarters beckoned! Here's a little collection I couldn't live without, the orange really appealed to me... plans for a throw are in the works. Happy Friday y'all.

October Knitting

Still needs blocking!

super soft alpaca yarn!

I had a fabulous time going to a knitting class a few weeks ago and have made 2 hats (my very first). On the needles now: my first attempt at mittens. Hopefully I can swing the thumb 'cos I'd love to make them for all the kids (and even grown ups) in the family. It would be a great gift since we have such heavy winters in these parts. (wonderful book, Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin - highly recommend it!)

My birthday was yesterday and it was great... mom gave me some money (among many other thoughtful presents) and now it's burning a hole in my pocket - thinking about the yarn shop :) Of course all this knitting and sitting is getting in the way of making art. But, today I'm back to carving and will be printing in a few days. Happy hump day - and thanks so much to those of you who commented on the funky flower question on the last post. Very much appreciated!

Finishing up and A Botany Question

I've been spending the past few days whooping it up in my studio... finishing the unfinished. Here are my honey and I in San Francisco about 5 months before we were married. I'd wanted to give it to him in June. Didn't happen :) There are 2 others being 'wrapped up' as well. These are larger paintings on canvas that I'll probably keep.

Does anyone know the name of this 'flower'? I bought it at a little market with fresh cut stems... the girl said is was called (and I spell phonetically) ''Pressia". (I did a search and didn't find anything) Anybody??? I'd love to learn more about it. It's quite large and the zig-zag leaves are so unusual! (planning on drawing/painting it)

Happy Friday everyone.

PS I've updated the etsy shop and will add a few more prints Saturday... check it out here!

October Doodles

Here are a few doodles destined to become Halloween cards. I love love love this time of year... easily my fave holiday plus 3 birthdays in our house are around the corner. Today I'm doing something very out of the ordinary... going to a knitting class on how to make a cloche hat! Never made hats before and am so excited to learn a new method. (thank you Mom for visiting and babysitting!) Happy Friday :)